Is expired Glipizide better than nothing at all? ?

[Orange Blossom]

My friend is not treating his diabetes, he doesn't have insurance. He has some glipizide (Glucotrol) that was prescribed to him in March of 2006. I'm not sure why he didn't take it but I was wondering. . . is it still effective? Is it still safe to take? I have to convince him it is, if it is.

[Micki]

First off, I know it's rough being the friend because you can only suggest - you can't make him comply. I have to say that anything you can do to get your friend to treat his diabetes would be good. He is playing with some serious fire by ignoring it because of lack of insurance. When allowed to run rampant, diabetes has serious complications (neuropathy which can lead to amputation, blindness, kidney failure, etc.) None of these things are worth going through. Not only would I have him try the Glipizide, I would try to help him find out if there are any clinics in the area that work with people without insurance. I am not an expert but my guess is there must be some government clinics that he could go to if he can't afford something else. Insulin is relatively cheap and surely they could at least get him on that. It's just too dangerous to ignore. Good luck with your friend.